The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/368728
54 ■ THE WOLFPACKER WOLFPACK FOOTBALL and have put the footings down," Doeren said. "We are counting the days down until we can use it, and they said they'll have it ready for spring ball." King credited Purcell for weaving the various functions together into making the facility happen. "He has the great ability to communicate with people and bring people together in various roles," King said. "He is a wonder- ful leader and wonderful guy. We are so fortunate to have this man at this university in this role." NC State's slogan for the near future in fundraising is "Championship Commit- ment." Upgrading facilities, similar to up- keep on a house, never ends. The Reynolds Coliseum renovation project looms in the future. "I don't think you ever stop, and I think you have to keep going," Purcell said. "It is a constant process. You never get there and stop. That is very important to remem- ber. Things change. Technology and designs change. The weight rooms change, and what other people have changes." — Jacey Zembal Wide Receiver Bra'Lon Cherry Opened Eyes During Fall Camp Sophomore wide receiver Bra'Lon Cherry got a head start on his college career by enrolling early out of New Bern (N.C.) High in January 2013. It paid off when he logged action in the first nine contests of last season, including a start against Richmond in the second game of the campaign. However, after he totaled eight receptions for 68 yards and received some action at both kickoff and punt re- turner, his season came to an end with an injury suffered at Duke Nov. 9. Cherry is looking forward to building on his first year after being healthy once again. "I'm just trying to stay injury free and stay on top of it, so I make sure I can help the team," he said. "It was pretty much a learning experience and a good experience. It helped me a lot and I learned from the receivers that have been here." Cherry was one of four true freshman re- ceivers to see the field last year, and the ad- dition of three more rookies this season has stocked the team with a lot of talent out wide. "Everybody is pretty good," Cherry ad- mitted. "Everybody can play, everybody can catch, everybody can run. It's amazing. "It makes everyone get better. If one man can't do it, the next man can do it. It pushes you to be better." Cherry is also competing for a spot re- turning punts and kicks; last year he re- turned four punts for 35 yards and nine kick- offs for 152 yards. Contributing on special teams is something he has thrived at since high school — he returned two kickoffs and a punt for scores as a senior — in addition to earning all-state honors on defense. "I just like when you catch the ball and everybody is coming at you. You know you have got to make someone miss and go try to score," he said. "I'm competing hard with all the other returners. I'm making sure I can play a big role in it." He is a different player than the one he was in high school. In addition to improving his technique and ball skills, he has gained around 20 pounds. The 5-11 weapon is now listed at 187 pounds. "It helps a lot, especially taking big hits," Cherry said with a laugh. "I got a lot stron- ger. I stayed in the weight room and worked hard to make sure I could get a little bit bigger. "Everybody has made a lot of progress. Everybody is working hard to get bigger, stronger and faster so we can do better than last year." The speedster noted that redshirt junior quarterback Jacoby Brissett has spent count- less hours throwing with the receivers to get on the same page before the season. It's also not unusual that the receivers are the last position group off the practice fields, putting in extra work with individual drills. "Jacoby has done well," Cherry said. "He's been working hard and getting better. He's been working hard with us all summer to make sure we have the connection." He has also seen a lot of promise from freshman signal-caller Jalan McClendon, who is competing for the backup job. "He's got a good arm; he can throw that thing," he said. "He's learning a lot from Jacoby and making progress. He's doing real good." — Ryan Tice Middle Linebacker Jerod Fernandez Is Poised For A Bigger Role Redshirt freshman middle linebacker Je- rod Fernandez got a taste of the big stage when he made 11 tackles in the Kay Yow Spring Game April 12. Now he will be counted upon to duplicate such efforts this fall, especially in light of junior middle linebacker M.J. Salahuddin missing the majority of fall camp with a knee injury. Fernandez knows he is being counted upon to deliver in the middle this season, and NCSU's switch to the 4-2-5 alignment shouldn't change his duties. Cherry saw action in nine games as a true freshman in 2013, and notched eight receptions for 68 yards, four punt returns for 35 yards and nine kick returns for 152 yards. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN